THE FALL EXCEPTIONELLE SALE DAY 1
Lot 257:
Description
Keywords: Important Female Artist, French genre painting, 19th century academic art, mother and child scene, domestic interior, neoclassical influence, European salon painting, oil on canvas,
Summary:
Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot born Antoinette Cécile Hortense Viel (attributed) *First Steps*, an early 19th century oil on canvas genre scene depicting a young child taking their first steps. Her works are featured in National Museum of Women in the Art, are highly sought after and prices for her work can reach hundreds of thousands. This work probably deserves scholarly evaluation and research.
Note: A known variant of this composition is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Libourne. She was one of the few professionally recognized women artists of the early 19th century, Antoinette Haudebourt-Lescot (1784-1845) was influenced by her extensive travels in Italy, where she became a keen observer of its costumes and customs. She exhibited at the Paris Salon and won a first class medal in 1828. Her work is in the collections of numerous French museums, including the Versailles, the Louvre and Musee des Beaux-Arts (Rouen). Antoinette Cécile Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot ranks among the most versatile and prolific female artists of the early 19th century.
The artist received royal commissions, exhibited more than 110 works at the prestigious Paris Salons, and welcomed opportunities to paint on a large scale, In 1808, the budding artist followed her art instructor, Guillaume Lethière, to Italy. She remained there for eight years, observing customs and sketching the colorful peasant clothing that appears in many of her paintings.
(in as found condition with frame needing restoration)
This is a NO RESERVE lot. There are no hidden or confidential reserves. All acceptable bidding begins at the published online START PRICE.
Measurement: Art: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm.), Frame: 26 1/2 x 22 1/2 in. (67.3 x 57.2 cm.) approx
Condition: Bidders are encouraged to carefully review all photographs and, when possible, examine items in person prior to bidding. Photographs form an integral part of each lot’s description. The absence of a condition report, notation, or reference to damage does not imply that an item is free from defects, restoration, wear, or other condition issues. All items are sold as is, where is, and may show signs of age, use, wear, repair, or prior restoration. By placing a bid, bidders acknowledge and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Sale.
All descriptions, catalog statements, condition reports, reflect an opinion based on the information provided to us at the time of cataloging. Any certificates of authenticity, if provided by consignor, will be noted in the catalog. Clocks and watches are not warranted or represented to keep accurate time. We strongly recommend that all vintage lighting be examined or rewired prior to use.
Auction Galleries reselling works do not issue Certificates of Authenticity. COA’s should best be sought from the original artist or their foundations, which often refrain from giving written authentication opinions. Accordingly, works are sold as ATTRIBUTED to the artist or maker named in the description. These attributions reflect an OPINION and are intended to provide collectors, researchers, and institutions the opportunity to study and further contextualize the material offered or establish a work’s art-historical significance.
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